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Man charged in June crash that killed mom, injured kids

NEWARK - A Centerburg man has been arrested and charged in relation to a crash that killed a mother and injured several of her children after reportedly having drugs in his system.

Mark Dingess, 38, was arrested Tuesday on a warrant for an indictment filed Feb. 2 in relation to the June 15 crash.

The indictment charges him with three counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, two second and one third-degree felonies; four counts of aggravated vehicular assault, all third-degree felonies; one count of operating a vehicle while under the influence, a first-degree misdemeanor; two counts of vehicular assault, both fourth-degree felonies; and one count of falsification, a first-degree misdemeanor.

Dingess is suspected of being under the influence of both methamphetamine and amphetamine while driving on Ohio 13 around 5 p.m. June 15. His vehicle allegedly crossed the center line, striking a vehicle driven by Connie Harkin, 40, head-on.

Harkin was killed in the crash. She had four of her children in the vehicle with her, all of whom suffered at least minor injuries. Harkin's 11-year-old daughter was seriously injured in the crash, suffering a broken leg and a fractured skull, Assistant Licking County Prosecutor Cliff Murphy said during a bond hearing Wednesday.

Murphy also said Harkin's 2-year-old daughter suffered a broken collarbone in the crash.

Dingess reportedly had twice the legal limit of both methamphetamine and amphetamine in his system at the time of the crash, Murphy said, and allegedly provided a false statement to police during the investigation.

If convicted on all charges, Dingess could face a potential sentence of 44 years in prison, depending on what charges a judge would find merge together.

During a bond hearing Wednesday afternoon, Dingess did not offer any statement. Magistrate Mattie Klein ordered he be held in the Licking County Justice Center in lieu of $150,000 bond.

Dingess is scheduled to appear for an arraignment Tuesday morning in Licking County Common Pleas Court.